Cheriss May
Cheriss May is a lauded editorial and portrait photographer, selected by Peerspace as one of “The 12 Best Editorial Photographers in Washington, D.C.”, her passion radiates through her aptitude to connect to the soul of those she photographs. Cheriss is the co-chair of photography — The National Press Club, and past president — Women Photojournalists of Washington (WPOW).
Cheriss is a frequent contributor to The New York Times, and People magazine, she has been published in O Magazine, The White House website, ABC News, and other publications. Her work is featured in the permanent collections of the African American Museum in Philadelphia, Pa., and the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in Harlem, NY.
Cheriss’ exhibit: “Cheriss May Soul Connection” debuted at the Leica Gallery in Los Angeles, California in 2021, and continues to travel to galleries and shows across the country, and internationally.
Cheriss is an adjunct professor at her Alma Mater, Howard University, in Washington, D.C., a Leica Ambassador, a mentor at Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), and an Adobe Education Leader.
Selected by ADCOLOR x Meta “Black Creators You Should Know”, Cheriss is an advocate for inclusive storytellers and storytelling, commissioned to speak, and lead initiatives for organizations around the world, including Spotify, Adobe, Leica Camera, The Financial Times, The Phillips Collection, and the International Center of Photography.
Originally from Kansas City, Mo., Cheriss is based in Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles, Ca.
EXHIBITIONS
“Cheriss May Soul Connection”: Leica Washington, D.C. | May 6 – July 31, 2022, Leica Bellevue (Bellevue, Wa.) | Oct. 24 – Dec. 4, 2021,
Leica Gallery (Los Angeles, Ca.) | May 1 – Sept. 6, 2021
“Black Is…” Montpelier Arts Center Main Gallery | June 11 – Aug. 7, 2022, Jan. 31 – Feb. 28, 2022
“Been Seen”: Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture – The New York Public Library
Part of the Photoville 10th Anniversary festival | Sept. 18 – Dec. 1, 2021, and Permanent Collection
“Reaching for Justice”: Full Circle Fine Art Gallery (Baltimore, MD) | June 19-Sept. 4, 2021
